Existentialism

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Jump to: navigationsearch The philosophers S¸ren Kierkegaard and Friedrich Nietzsche are considered fundamental to the existentialist movement, though neither used the term "existentialism". They predated existentialism by a century. Existentialism is a philosophical movement that posits that individuals create the meaning and essence of their lives, as opposed to deities or authorities creating it for them. It emerged as a movement in twentieth-century literature and philosophy, though it had forerunners in earlier centuries. Existentialism generally postulates that the absence of a transcendent force (such as God) means that the individual is entirely free, and, therefore, ultimately responsible. It is up to humans to create an ethos of personal responsibility outside any branded belief system. In existentialist views, personal articulation of being is the only way to rise above humanity's absurd condition of much suffering and inevitable death. Existentialism is a reaction against traditional philosophies, such as

Existentialism

First published Mon 23 Aug, 2004 Nausea and No Exit ) than through his more purely philosophical ones (such as Being and Nothingness and Critique of Dialectical Reason) It is sometimes suggested, therefore, that existentialism just is this bygone cultural movement rather than an identifiable philosophical position; or, alternatively, that the term should be restricted to Sartre's philosophy alone. But while a philosophical definition of existentialism may not entirely ignore the cultural fate of the term, and while Sartre's thought must loom large in any account of existentialism, the concept does pick out a distinctive cluster of philosophical problems and helpfully identifies a relatively distinct current of twentieth- and now twenty-first century philosophical inquiry, one that has had significant impact on fields such as theology (through Rudolf Bultmann, Paul Tillich, Karl Barth, and others) and psychology (from Ludwig Binswanger and Medard Boss to Otto Rank, R. D. Laing, and Viktor Frankl). What makes this current of inquiry distinct is not its concern with "existence" in general, but rather its claim that thinking about human existence requires new categories not found in the conceptual repertoire of ancient or modern thought; human beings can be understood neither as substances with fixed properties, nor as atomic subjects primarily interacting with a world of objects.

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Since 1996, the Existential Primer has provided a basic introduction to existentialism and the related Continental philosophies . Since the 1950s philosophy has been divided into analytic schools, focused on language and communication, and the metaphysical approaches of Continental schools. Existentialism attempts to describe our desire to make rational decisions despite existing in an irrational universe. Unfortunately, life might be without inherent meaning (existential atheists) or it might be without a meaning we can understand (existential theists). Either way, the human desires for logic and immortality are futile. We are forced to define our own meanings, knowing they might be temporary. In this existenceâ¦ The Individual Defines Everything.

6. (the Cry) ------ Existentialism There are several philosophical positions all related to existential philosophy but the main identifiable common proposition, is that existence precedeshttp://www.thecry.com/existentialism/

the Realm of Existentialism, Phenomenology and Existential Psychology The Realm of Existentialism, located at DividingLine.com, features an indepth look at the attributes of the existentialist school of thought and Existentialism as an ultra-modern philosophical movement. This site offers the basics of existentialism, pros and cons of existentialism, phenomenology and its relation to existentialism, existentialism through selected quotations, and probes over twenty minds of existentialism from literature, philosophy, psychology and poetry. The Realm of Existentialism also maintains a state of the art, full-featured, Forum/Message-board called Magnetar. Magnetar has been turned into a Think Tank for discussion of the philosophy of Existentialism, enlightenment and entertainment at MindPleasures.com. Magnetar now includes a Haiku section which blends very well with the philosophy of Existentialism. Katharena Eiermann The Realm of Existentialism has been featured on CBS News, 48 Hours The message of existentialism, unlike that of many more obscure and academic philosophical movements, is about as simple as can be. It is that every one of us, as an individual, is responsibleresponsible for what we do, responsible for who we are, responsible for the way we face and deal with the world, responsible, ultimately, for the way the world is. It is, in a very short phrase, the philosophy of 'no excuses!' We cannot shift that burden onto God, or nature, or the ways of the world. Professor Robert Solomon

Existential Risks

Analyzing Human Extinction Scenarios and Related Hazards

Nick Bostrom, PhD

Faculty of Philosophy , Oxford University www.nickbostrom.com [Published in the Journal of Evolution and Technology , Vol. 9, March 2002. First version: 2001]

ABSTRACT Because of accelerating technological progress, humankind may be rapidly approaching a critical phase in its career. In addition to well-known threats such as nuclear holocaust, the prospects of radically transforming technologies like nanotech systems and machine intelligence present us with unprecedented opportunities and risks. Our future, and whether we will have a future at all, may well be determined by how we deal with these challenges. In the case of radically transforming technologies, a better understanding of the transition dynamics from a human to a posthuman society is needed. Of particular importance is to know where the pitfalls are: the ways in which things could go terminally wrong. While we have had long exposure to various personal, local, and endurable global hazards, this paper analyzes a recently emerging category: that of existential risks . These are threats that could cause our extinction or destroy the potential of Earth-originating intelligent life. Some of these threats are relatively well known while others, including some of the gravest, have gone almost unrecognized. Existential risks have a cluster of features that make ordinary risk management ineffective. A final section of this paper discusses several ethical and policy implications. A clearer understanding of the threat picture will enable us to formulate better strategies.

9. The Existentialist Cowboy Every person of conscience faces existential choices in dictatorial or illegitimate regimes. The question is at what point does compliance with illegal,http://existentialistcowboy.blogspot.com/

The Existentialist Cowboy

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Evidence That the CIA Murdered RFK

A new BBC documentary supports the conclusion that the CIA planned and executed the assassination of Robert Kennedy. The new video and photographic evidence the result of a three year long investigation "puts three senior CIA operatives" at the scene of the murder. Three of these men have been positively identified as senior officers who worked together in 1963 at JMWAVE, the CIA's Miami base for its Secret War on Castro. David Morales was Chief of Operations and once told friends: "I was in Dallas when we got the son of a bitch and I was in Los Angeles when we got the little bastard." Gordon Campbell was Chief of Maritime Operations and George Joannides was Chief of Psychological Warfare Operations. Joannides was called out of retirement in 1978 to act as the CIA liaison to the Congressional investigation into the JFK assassination. Now, we see him at the Ambassador Hotel the night a second Kennedy is assassinated. CIA role in Kennedy killing As with the 1963 murder of JFK in Dallas, lingering questions dog the official theories. Powder burns indicated that three shots had been fired from very close range from to 1-1/2 inches though no witness could place Sirhan closer than three feet. Sirhan's gun held only eight bullets but a total of ten were recovered. Three were found in Kennedy. Two were lodged in a pantry door frame. One was found in an airspace. Presumably four more were found elsewhere. Significantly, four bullets 'touched' Kennedy to include the three that were recovered lodged in his back. At no time was Sirhan ever behind RFK.

Contact Details

Contact Emmy or Digby at Dilemma Consultancy 27 Brocco Bank Sheffield S11 8RQ or email the administrator This website is sponsored by Dilemma Consultancy Ltd. Existential Psychotherapy Emmy and Digby have recently presented existential approaches to reflective practice at the 2005 annual conference of the Society of Existential Analysis, and you can look at their presentations by clicking Emmy or Digby here (note you will need Adobe Acrobat to see these, which is downloable free from or click the icon).

12. Existentialism Philosophy Tim LeBon defines the topic thusly existential Psychotherapy is a form of psychotherapy which aims at enhancing selfknowledge in the client and allowinghttp://existentialist.blogspot.com/

Existentialism Philosophy

Existential Political TherapyIn a world gone mad, the politics of disturbed behaviour has no parallel. But treatment for individual disorders is a robust field that affords troubled individuals a remedy to overcome their personal plight in the world. Maybe such an approach has an application as a destructive political illness that so often is the basis of public policy. Examine the patient and ask can the professional âpolsâ be cured? Tim LeBon defines the topic thusly: âExistential Psychotherapy is a form of psychotherapy which aims at enhancing self-knowledge in the client and allowing them to be the author of their own lives. Its philosophical roots are to be found in the works of Kierkegaard, Heidegger, Sartre and other existential thinkers as well as Husserl and phenomenologists. Historically, existential therapy began when Binswanger attempted to use Heidegger's theory therapeutically, an approach that was adapted by Victor Frankl, Rollo May and others in the United States.â Most normal individuals seek medical treatment when they are ill. Heal thyself is certainly preferable to major surgery, but on occasions the patient needs external assistance to recover their health. Techniques and treatments vary, drugs and herbs may invigorate and extraordinary measures may prolong life, but what about achieving a state of clear mental health within the consciousness of political decision makers? Doesnât common sense dictate that public affairs warrant that sound minded and stable emotions are a prerequisite for anyone involved in making and administrating government regulations?

Existential Space

A place to live and be.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

A Free, Independent Kosova!

After nearly 20 years of Serbian oppression and occupation, the Kosova has finally declared its independenceThe Kosovars are to be congratulated that they have achieved their freedom through peaceful, democratic means in cooperation and under the supervision of NATO and the international community (note to the Palestinians). Meanwhile in Belgrade, Serbian leaders are calling for war and more violence, while trying to a lid on anti-Kosova riots. The contrast couldn't be more stark. In many of the published pictures in the past few days leading up to this historic day the American flag is seen prominently with the Albanian flag. Through the brave and tireless service of our US military, particularly those who served in KFOR, we have won an important ally in the Balkans. It's unfortunate that the late Kosovar Prime Minister Ibrahim Rugova, a man committed to peaceful resolution of the Kosovar situation, and Rep. Tom Lantos, a devoted friend of the Kosovar people and a brave champion for their cause on Capitol Hill , didn't live long enough to see this day.

16. Existential Ramble You are reading this post at either existential Ramble, Literarytech, or http//literarytech.spaces.live.com/. I can publish to any or all of these.http://davidandpatrick.com/erblog/

October 9th, 2007 by David The recent article in the New York Times sheds light on what will no doubt be a growing concern in this country as the post-World War II demographic surge known as the Baby Boomers will be growing older. Elderly gay people like Ms. Donadello, living in nursing homes or assisted-living centers or receiving home care, increasingly report that they have been disrespected, shunned or mistreated in ways that range from hurtful to deadly, even leading some to commit suicide Some have seen their partners and friends insulted or isolated. Others live in fear of the day when they are dependent on strangers for the most personal care. That dread alone can be damaging, physically and emotionally, say geriatric doctors, psychiatrists and social workers. Aging and Gay, and Facing Prejudice in Twilight The multimedia feature is really worth a look. Posted in GLBT Americans having

19. Existential Graphs Peirce wrote MS 514 in 1909 as a tutorial on existential graphs, their rules of inference, and related topics in logic. The original manuscript of MS 514 ishttp://www.jfsowa.com/peirce/ms514.htm

Existential Graphs

MS 514 by Charles Sanders Peirce

with commentary by John F. Sowa Peirce wrote MS 514 in 1909 as a tutorial on existential graphs, their rules of inference, and related topics in logic. The original manuscript of MS 514 is located at the Houghton Library, Harvard University, and was transcribed with their permission by Michel Balat. In this version, Peirce's words (either from MS 514 or in quotations from other sources) are printed in black, and the commentary is printed in red. The numbers highlighted in blue have hyperlinks to the bibliography. The text is essentially unchanged, some of the more obvious errors in spelling and transcription have been corrected, and some long stretches of text have been broken into paragraphs. The transcription begins at the bottom of page 9 of MS 514; page breaks in the manuscript are marked in brackets, such as [p.10] For a summary of Peirce's contributions to logic, see "Peirce the Logician" by Hilary Putnam or articles by Quine ( ), Dipert (

Cool Faith Communities

30 March 2008

Personal Connection

i have sadly come to the place in the senseless Iraq War where i have a personal connection. i have never known someone close to be in a war going on in my lifetime. But, i just recieved an email yesterday from my cousin, Kim Brasier, that my little 20 year old cousin, her son, Dylan James Brasier, is now stationed in Iraq. She sent me his mailing address over there, and when i get over the shock of him actually being there, i will write him a letter. i knew several months ago he was heading out to training and going to be shipped out to Iraq in March, but i guess i kept telling myself it was far off and not really dealing with it. Well after seeing the film